Crate Training: Positive Management vs. Punishment Tool

Crate training a dog is such an important part of training any dog. My dog training Atlanta program always consists of some form of crate training especially with younger dogs that can very easily get themselves into trouble if not managed by a crate training process. It helps address separation anxiety, potty training, house training and so much more!

When I was a little kid, most of my neighbors that were dog owners did not use crates. However, the few times I did see a crate being utilized in the household it was only for two reasons:

1) Training for housebreaking (which is fantastic!)

2) A punishment tool, or a “time-out” corner (not so fantastic)

Even when my parents adopted our first family dog, we did not use or even buy a crate for him. Me being young and naïve, I was happy that we were not “caging” my new best friend.

The crate training process can be a fun one if you know how to do it properly. Making sure the dog’s crate is a happy place where they can sit quietly even with the crate door open. Adult dogs can be trained to crate train, just like puppy crate training.

Puppy Crate Training

Now grown up, hopefully more wiser, and having more experience with raising and training dogs, I do see the common mistakes people make when it comes to crates. Just looking at one and instantly many people perceive it as a cage, or a place of confinement, isolation, and correction. Even with the picture advertisements of a seemingly happy dog resting inside the kennel, many shudder over the crate concept, deeming it to be mean or even downright cruel. Then there are people who will purchase the crate and use it for the dogs, but will use it only/mainly as punishment.

Crate Training a puppy is not hard with Peachtree Dog Training, we will make sure the dog crate is a positive association for your new puppy. We even make sure crate training for adult dogs is a positive association. Young puppies need crate training to help address separation anxiety, house training, potty training and more. Some older dogs even need crate training for those same reasons.

Puppy crate training is something we specialize in, regardless of the dog’s age, breed, or temperament.

Crate Training a Puppy

Like many people, my day begins and ends in the bedroom. My own room – not only is it the place I go for sleep, but it is my place of calm and privacy. I can be on my bed and just lie there hugging a pillow, drifting into an afternoon nap. Or maybe I am relaxing with a book in hand, music playing lightly in the background, and my dog on the floor, nudging my feet with her big, cute Rottweiler head. For me and many other people, it can be a safe haven, and for dogs, they can have that same thing with their crates.

With crate training, I never see them as a negative idea because I always make sure to NEVER use it in a negative manner for the dog. Going back to my childish beliefs of a crate being strictly used for correction or punishment – THAT is what makes the crate a negative or “mean” experience, not the crate itself. When it comes to dog training, I believe that the crate can used and if so, it should be used as a management tool, not a punishment tool.

Crate Train a Puppy – It’s The Best Decision You Can Make

For instance, if you need to put do crate training because your dog won’t stop bugging you for pettings while you’re trying to type up a report or series or e-mails (welcome to my administrative world!), it is perfectly fine to have the dog spend some time in the crate while you finish your work. It is crucial though that you don’t make the dog’s experience a negative one as you put him in the crate, such as yelling “bad boy!”, literally throwing him in there, or having the wrong sized crate. If the crate is dirty or has anything in there to make it uncomfortable, clean up and remove the discomfort factors. Add a bone or a toy filled with treats to keep the dog happy and preoccupied. And of course, don’t leave the dog in the crate forever! Let him out when you’re ready to give him attention again or when you know that he might need to eat, go potty, etc. There are many ways to make the crate a negative, punishing experience for the dog, but there are just as many ways to make it a positive, rewarding time. My dog training Atlanta program will explain exactly how to do this.

As a dog trainer in Atlanta, I always stress to clients that when we use crate training—whether it be for house training, potty training, better manners, eliminating destructive behavior, etc.—that we build a positive association of the crate for the dog. The dog should not fear his or her’s crate, but rather find comfort and peace. For the dogs that have always known the crate to be a bad place, we break down those previous negative notions, and create a more relaxing, positive environment inside the crate, based on the dog’s personality and behavior, and the owner’s capabilities and commitment. To take a real-life example, I am presently working with a family in Sandy Springs that has two adorable Chow dogs, one being a puppy and the other is a grown adult. The eldest has never liked this crate, and at first, the puppy wasn’t too fond of it either. However, after some work, the puppy now LOVES her crate. The older Chow is still getting accustomed to his new crate, but he has made IMMENSE progress, and we’re still doing everything we can to make the process easier on him, and to help create a positive association for him and his crate.

Get Started with Our Crate Training Program Today!

I am not saying that crate training is a necessity for every dog. It can depend on the dog’s age, whether you are crate training an older dogs, or if you are dealing with separation anxiety.

What I do believe is that the knee-jerk misconceptions of crate training should be reexamined, and the approaches to using the crate for training should be based on education, patience and positivity! Remember: management, not punishment! I believe every dog should have their own safe spot, and while your bed or the doggy mat in the living room can be that spot, so can the crate!

If you want to know more about my dog training Atlanta program please give me a call, or visit us online. We offer dog training throughout Atlanta. Crate training is what we do here!